WHY IT'S HIP TO BE SQUARE

My published editorial - www.thestyleking.com

THE RETURN OF THE POCKET HANDKERCHIEF

The pocket square, a familiar accessory from the bygone days of menswear, is having a sartorial comeback. If chosen with care and worn with panache, it can give new life to a favourite suit and become the standout detail of your outfit.

Not to be mistaken for (though, sadly, it often is) the rather more practical kind of handkerchief that’s kept for blowing your nose, the pocket square offers a flash of colour and a dash of sophistication to any jacket.

Normally worn in the left breast pocket, it can be folded and displayed in various ways (triangular, three peaks, four corners…), depending on the size and the fabric of the square, and the depth of the pocket.
 There are no rules about colour, pattern or texture — choose one to either contrast or complement your suit.

STYLE ICON - CARY GRANT

My published editorial - www.thestyleking.com

Few men can match Cary Grant’s status as a man so perfectly turned out that he looks effortless and natural.

With a successful career spanning more than three decades he was named the second Greatest Male Star of All Time and he starred in some of Hollywood’s finest and most iconic films; The Philadelphia Story, Arsenic and Old Lace, An Affair to Remember and To Catch a Thief to name but a few.

Cary Grant also appearing next to some of the worlds most beautiful and sort after women include Katherine Hepburn, Audrey Hepburn and Grace Kelly proving on screen his looks and style made him a Hollywood heartthrob.

In front of the lens, as well as behind Cary Grant portrayed him self as the British dandy and Casanova of the golden age. Oozing with charm and charisma with that devastating ability to woo his way into any screen sirens heart, his sharp, well assembled style of tailored suits and his own take on the popular, new trend of American ‘casual sports wear’ of the 1930’s did nothing but give added confidence and appeal to his effortless image.

Never seen in denim or jeans, he boasted his own take on casual, choosing chinos, slacks and plus fours with brogues and colourful socks. As well as the casual leisure wear of Los Angeles he also scrubbed up well, favouring blazers and sports jackets with an open neck or a tight high knotted tie, (No lazy knots and undone top buttons here) taking his formal wear seriously and often sported a pocket square or neck-a-chief, adding a flare of colour. Grant also popularised the masculine long formal trench coats and trilby hat. Whether it be on the decks of cruise ships or at the top of the Empire State building he posed as the embodiment of gentlemanly sophistication.

To perfect Mr Grant’s look would be to become the embodiment of the Sauvé leading man of legend; handsome, virile, charismatic, effortless and above all charming. You never know, it could lead to your very own affair to remember.

CURATED BY LYLE & SCOTT

My Published Editorial - www.thestyleking.com

Lyle & Scott, the Scottish heritage brand with a history spanning more than one hundred and thirty years is famed for it’s royal standard, colourful and on trend golfing wear and collaborations with some of the sporting and fashion worlds greats, like Christian Dior.

Proving they’re still the brand of choice when it comes to working with others, Curated by Lyle & Scott was a capsule collection of four gig nights hosted at the hot new east London venue XOYO showing off the best new talent the music world has to offer.

TheStyleKing went along to the fourth and final gig last Thursday where we got to see at first hand the new faces of the UK music scene and the great work Lyle & Scott have done in supporting them. The four brands from the night were the Indie Brit sensations; Ice Black Birds, Boy Mandeville, Wilder and Summer Camp. Each with their own individual styles, looks and sounds (but all suitably decked out in Lyle & Scott, of course), it proved an entertaining night and a great showcase of who we should be keeping our eyes on, and listening out for.

Curated by Lyle & Scott Helped strengthen the historically entwined bond between fashion and music as the brand continue to show casing the very best in emerging talent. Having had many successful rebrands over the decades Lyle and Scott has proven it’s a cut above the rest and really has its finger on the pulse when it comes to modern fashion and popular trends.

Style Icon - Bryan Ferry

My published editorial - www.thestyleking.com

The Style King has, of course, its style icons. And Bryan Ferry, British pop’s eccentric charmer, is the first to be championed.

From his introduction to fame with Roxy Music, which celebrates its 40th anniversary this year, right through to his solo-career years, Ferry’s cool demeanour and sense of style has never faltered.

As Roxy’s confident, slick-haired, leather-jacket-wearing vocalist, he led the band to three Number One albums and 10 Top Ten singles. He went solo in 1973, while remaining a member of Roxy, and is still a music guru and respected lyricist today. His latest album, Olympia, was launched in the autumn.

But Ferry isn’t known for his musical talents alone; his well-honed effortless style and his love of menswear have given him plenty of fashion credentials, too. In the Seventies, his edgy look influenced that of the flamboyant New Romantics and he quickly became an icon of steely cool, relaxed masculinity.

Now, aged 64, Ferry is still, arguably, as influential an arbiter of style as he was back then. Though he has now ditched the drainpipe jeans, open-necked silk shirts, zebra prints and military brocading in favour of more gentlemanly attire, he still stands out as someone with a sophisticated sense of style. Even though he may whip out a sequined blazer from time to time, he wears it with enviable finesse.

For those wishing to follow in his fashion footsteps, think floppy hair, white shirt, tailored jacket, black brogues. And don’t forget the most important ingredient: a tie. Ferry believes that what you wear contributes to how you perform, and is said to record all his albums wearing a tie. Adopt his look and you never know, it might even help you in your music endeavours, too…